Here is a wonderful kite and surf station in Back beach in Vung Tau but today we’ll not be speaking about water kind of sports – about hunting. Aram is a member of the station finding out a new underwater spots and today he can surely say that fishing here is possible! And underwater hunting too:
- Aram was you born by the sea? Could you please tell us more about yourself?
- Yes, since 3 years I was living by the sea. Hunt underwater I started from 7-8. My father made a small “sling” – harpoon-trident with the rubber. I stung fish – ruff, pigfish, everything what came up easily. Then I’ve got an underwater gun. With the local boys we’re hunted fish in lakes and in the sea. I hunted only in summertime. It’s quiet cold in Sochi (Russia Black Sea) in winter. Equipment were poor and we had no money for imported diving – suit.
- Aram, how come you came hunting here?
- When I was packing my staff for coming here, Alex told me to take two harpoon guns. I didn’t believe that I’ll be hunting here, but took one gun. From the first time in high season for kite-surfing, waves were too high and water wasn’t clear. Now water is calm and I started to look for fishing places.
- How you look for it?
- I can see it. I just go to the sea and see from the beginning if it’s possible to fishing there. I swim and explore. Where is the rock – look under the rock. I looked under the first rock saw the tail. Action of my gun is a very strong so I didn’t wanted to shoot there. For small fish small gun is needed. Sling is the best for this purpose. So thus I investigated the area. From the first time I founded small fish, then bigger, bigger. I have an experience of searching for fish; I know places of their habitation.
- Are there many good places?
- Not many, but water area is very big…everyone can get enough of fish. It’s good that locals don’t hunt underwater here. They place nets, catch fish using spinning, donkey pumping from the boats – very different ways but don’t hunt underwater.
- Is it possible to come here and hunt underwater as a tourism?
- You should come in time – where is no waves and water is clear. It’s better to be always ready for underwater hunting. If there is no surfing go for fishing. Thus you become an all-rounder and your will never miss your holiday. Pleasure from underwater hunting is huge! I shoot different fish regularly – crucian, red snipper, catfish and this big I shot today, it has a title only in Vietnamese language. When water is not clear I do surfing and kite surfing.
- Are there many good places?
- Not many, but water area is very big…everyone can get enough of fish. It’s good that locals don’t hunt underwater here. They place nets, catch fish using spinning, donkey pumping from the boats – very different ways but don’t hunt underwater.
- Is it possible to come here and hunt underwater as a tourism?
- You should come in time – where is no waves and water is clear. It’s better to be always ready for underwater hunting. If there is no surfing go for fishing. Thus you become an all-rounder and your will never miss your holiday. Pleasure from underwater hunting is huge! I shoot different fish regularly – crucian, red snipper, catfish and this big I shot today, it has a title only in Vietnamese language. When water is not clear I do surfing and kite surfing.
- It might be in very deep water. Is there any danger in the sea?
- No, it’s not so deep – up to 6 meters, it’s absolutely safe to dive here. But the sea is very living and here are a lot of poisoned creatures. Jellyfish which bite with the alkalis, poisoned worms sting as electricity. And you can just step on a hedgehog while you’re waiting for the fish.
- And what to do? Go with the risk?
- Simply you need a good diving – suit – 1-3 mm. covering all your body, gloves and special shoes. It solves all problems with the fauna and you’ll not scratchwith the shells.
- How you find this place for the underwater hunting?
- The rivers are mouth into the sea and bring a lot of organic. That is why here is a lot of micro weeds, plankton, because of it water is not so clear and this is the problem. But also a lot of fish!
-Is this place proper for the beginners?
- Of course it’s not a coral reef, but underwater hunting is possible here.
- Can you teach me underwater hunting?
- I can give you a base of underwater hunting. After time we can work on studying methodology, take as a basis experience of other hunters. First of all – safety. I will give you a theory on a blackboard. Then we’ll go to the sea, will learn how to hold a breath, and if you can do it will learn diving. And of course masking, hiding, correct acting underwater. Fish will see you anyway. You have to know its behavior.
- Do you know any other basins here proper for fishing?
- Well in the river the water is turbid, but in a north of Vung Tau here is a lake, deep full gallop with water. One man hunted there and got a big fish. Water is clear, 5-6 meters visibility, maybe more. It’s cold, need to have a diving – suit. And it’s difficult to get there because of fences. I haven’t been there yet.
- What if I can’t hunting, don’t know how or just don’t want, may I dive with you?
- Yes, when water is clear and no waves you can dive and get a lot of oysters and mussels. It’s a lot of here and very big.
- Thank you Aram for the interview, I think many people would like to dive here will you guide if needed?
- Sure, you welcome! Please come to the surf station at Vungtau Beach Club and if there will not be good condition for kite’n’surf we’ll surely dive.
Pavel & Tanya
Specially for VCC